The Best Beers for Fried Chicken: Our Top Picks
Fried chicken is rich, crunchy and savoury, so you want a beer that scrubs the grease and refreshes between bites. A hoppy pale ale is the classic pairing, with a couple of easy-drinkers for balance. Here are four.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.3/5 | Cutting through the crust |
| Bell’s Two Hearted Ale | American IPA | 4.8/5 | A hoppy contrast |
| Coors Banquet | American Lager | 3.8/5 | An easy, crisp match |
| Allagash White | Belgian Witbier | 4.7/5 | A citrus lift |
Fried chicken is crisp, salty and rich, so the beer should scrub the palate clean. Hops and carbonation are your friends here.
The Best Beers for Fried Chicken, Reviewed
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
The fried chicken beer. Its citrus and pine hops cut clean through the greasy, salty crust. Read the full Sierra Nevada Pale Ale review.
- Bright Cascade pine and citrus
- The benchmark pale ale
- Very versatile
- Hop bite is a lot for some
- Not sweet
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
A balanced IPA with enough punch to stand up to a spicy, well-seasoned coating. Read the full Bell’s Two Hearted Ale review.
- Big Centennial citrus hops
- Smooth for its strength
- One of the top-rated IPAs
- Too hoppy for lager fans
- 7% ABV sneaks up on you
Coors Banquet
Sometimes you just want cold and crisp. This is the easy, refreshing option next to a bucket. Read the full Coors Banquet review.
- Smooth and easy
- More body than the light lagers
- A dependable classic
- Still fairly plain
- Not for hop seekers
Allagash White
A soft witbier is a lovely change of pace, its light citrus lifting the richness of the chicken. Read the full Allagash White review.
- Bright citrus and coriander
- Smooth wheat body
- Very food-friendly
- Cloudy look is not for everyone
- Mild for hop fans
The pan for proper fried chicken
Cast iron holds its heat when the cold chicken goes in, which is the secret to an even, golden crust that does not go greasy.
Fried Chicken and Beer: FAQs
What beer goes with fried chicken?
A pale ale or a crisp lager. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale cuts the oily crust, and a cold Coors Banquet keeps it simple and refreshing.
Is a wheat beer good with fried chicken?
Yes, a citrus wheat like Allagash White lifts the salt nicely. The same beer suits a plate of wings.
Related pairings: beer for wings, beer for beer can chicken, beer for a BBQ.
